Yes, Jesus is God. But the answer needs to be expounded upon. When we say that Jesus is God we’re using the term “God” in reference to the divine nature. But we have to be careful because we don’t want to say Jesus is God and fail to understand that God is a Trinity. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is that God exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So, we have to be careful when we ask if Jesus is God because we have to be clear in the answer. If God is a Trinity and we say Jesus is God, then we are saying that Jesus is a Trinity. But that is not true. So in one sense, the term “God” can be used to designate the totality of God as a Trinity, and in another sense, it deals with the divine nature.
The correct answer is that Jesus is both divine and human. In other words, he is both God and man. God has a divine nature, and Jesus possesses the divine nature as well as human nature. This dual nature characteristic is called the hypostatic union.
We know that Jesus is God in the flesh because the Bible says many things declaring this. For example,
John 1:1, “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
John 1:14, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
John 8:24, “unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:58, “before Abraham was, I am.”
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Col. 2:9, “for in Him dwells all the fullness of deity in bodily form.”
Heb. 1:8, “But of the Son he [The Father] says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.'”
After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, Thomas, one of the disciples, doubted that he had risen. Jesus appears to him, and Thomas responds by saying to Jesus “my Lord and my God,” (John 20:28). Jesus makes no correction to Thomas about this. Titus 2:13 tells us to wait for the coming of “our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” In John 5:18 it says that Jesus “was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”
It is clear from the Scriptures that Jesus is considered to be God in flesh; that is, he is considered to be divine. The reason is that without Jesus being both God and man, he could not make a sacrifice of sufficient value to please God the Father. If he were not a man, he would not be able to die for the sins of mankind.
Throughout history, debates have arisen regarding Jesus Christ's true identity. Some assert that He was solely a prophet, while others proclaim Him as the Divine Son of God. To address these claims, it's essential to examine the context of scriptural passages and the assertions made by Jesus Himself.
Accusation 1: Jesus Was Regarded Only as a Prophet
Critics often cite verses where people refer to Jesus as a prophet:
While these passages acknowledge Jesus's prophetic role, they do not encompass His complete identity. Notably, in Luke 7:16, the crowd exclaims, "God has visited His people," indicating a recognition of His divine nature.
Accusation 2: Jesus Never Claimed to Be God
Some argue that Jesus never explicitly declared His divinity. However, a comprehensive reading of the Gospels reveals instances where Jesus implies His divine status:
Additionally, during His trial, the high priest asked Jesus if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus responded affirmatively, leading to accusations of blasphemy (Matthew 26:63-65).
Understanding Jesus's Multifaceted Role
Jesus fulfilled multiple roles:
These roles do not contradict His divinity but rather complement it. The early Christian understanding, as reflected in the New Testament, portrays Jesus as both fully human and fully divine.
Conclusion
While Jesus was acknowledged as a prophet, He also made profound claims about His divine nature. A holistic examination of the scriptures indicates that Jesus was not merely a prophet but the Divine Son of God, fulfilling the prophecies and embodying the presence of God among humanity.
The question of whether Jesus Christ explicitly claimed divinity has been a topic of debate. While some argue that He never professed to be God, a thorough examination of the New Testament reveals multiple instances where Jesus identifies Himself as divine.
Jesus' Assertion of Equality with God
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes statements that imply His divine status. In John 5:17-18, He says, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." This declaration led the Jewish leaders to seek His death, interpreting His words as making Himself equal with God. Their reaction indicates that they understood Jesus' claim to divinity.
Claims of Unity with the Father
Jesus articulates a profound unity with God the Father. In John 10:30, He states, "I and the Father are one." This assertion prompted accusations of blasphemy from His audience, as they recognized it as a claim to deity. Additionally, in John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," suggesting that to encounter Jesus is to encounter God Himself.
Authority to Forgive Sins
The ability to forgive sins is traditionally ascribed to God alone. In Mark 2:5-7, Jesus forgives a paralytic's sins, leading the scribes to question, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus' pronouncement of forgiveness serves as an implicit claim to divine authority.
Acceptance of Worship
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus accepts worship from individuals, a gesture reserved for God. For instance, in Matthew 14:33, after calming the storm, the disciples worship Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Notably, Jesus does not rebuke them, indicating His acceptance of their worship and acknowledgment of His divine identity.
Use of the Divine Name "I Am"
In John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was, I am." This statement echoes God's self-identification in Exodus 3:14, where He reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM." By using this name, Jesus associates Himself with the eternal God, a claim that led His listeners to attempt to stone Him for blasphemy.
Conclusion
The New Testament provides substantial evidence that Jesus claimed divinity through His words and actions. These claims were understood by His contemporaries as assertions of equality with God, leading to significant opposition and, ultimately, His crucifixion. Recognizing these declarations is crucial for understanding the identity and mission of Jesus Christ within Christian theology.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands at the heart of Christian theology, symbolizing the ultimate act of love and redemption. While many acknowledge that Christ died to redeem humanity, questions often arise: Why did He choose the cross, a method both excruciating and humiliating? Couldn't salvation have been achieved through a less painful means? Delving into the teachings of St. Athanasius of Alexandria offers profound insights into the necessity and significance of the cross in the divine plan of salvation.
The Necessity of the Cross
St. Athanasius, in his seminal work On the Incarnation, emphasizes that Christ's death on the cross was neither arbitrary nor merely a result of external circumstances. Instead, it was a deliberate act rooted in divine love and the specific needs of fallen humanity. Humanity's disobedience severed its relationship with God, leading to both physical and spiritual death. To restore this broken relationship, it was imperative for Christ to confront death directly. By assuming human form, He made Himself subject to mortality, enabling Him to meet death face to face and overcome it on behalf of all.
Why the Cross Specifically?
The choice of crucifixion, a method reserved for the vilest of criminals and designed to inflict maximum suffering and public humiliation, holds profound significance:
The Transformative Power of the Cross
Through His death and subsequent resurrection, Christ transformed the cross from a symbol of shame into a beacon of hope and victory. Believers no longer view it as a mere instrument of death but as the means through which life and reconciliation with God are achieved. St. Athanasius eloquently states that the salvation of the world could be accomplished in no other way.
In embracing the cross, Christians find a profound expression of God's love, a call to selfless sacrifice, and the assurance of victory over sin and death. The crucifixion was not just a method of execution; it was the chosen means through which divine love met human need, offering redemption to all.
